gong xiao hua

Toronto's most confusing mayoral candidate is now taking a swing in the 905

Even if you didn't pay all that much attention to Toronto's last municipal election, the face of candidate Gong Xiao Hua is one you won't likely be able to forget given that was pasted on every corner of the city during his excessive marketing campaign.

Though that campaign was ultimately unsuccessful in winning him the title of the city's leader — though one could argue it was very successful in a brand awareness capacity — it seems Gong has picked himself back up and is ready to try again, this time in the City if Mississauga.

Just one day before the deadline, Gong entered to run in the city's upcoming by-election, which takes place June 10.

His campaign manager confirmed the move to the Star yesterday, adding that the businessman with a shady past just "wants to serve Canada" and will be "treating it the same" as his Toronto bid — meaning Mississauga residents may soon be spotting his face all over town.

While Gong's Toronto signs had everyone talking (and meme-ing), much of the chatter was negative — some constituents felt his over-the-top efforts had "the opposite of the intended purpose," with his signs serving as the bulk of election debris (despite him only earning 0.4 per cent of the vote) and even posing a potential driving hazard.

Lead photo by

Jack Landau


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Google Maps updates Toronto's Dundas Square to new Sankofa Square name

Record-breaking Ontario-U.S. border bridge will achieve its huge milestone next month

New Toronto public space designed to look like Ontario's famous Cheltenham Badlands

You can now get free admission to the CN Tower with a Toronto Public Library Card

Enormous two-storey owl coming to Toronto's waterfront in 2025

Canadians laugh as LifeLabs sends out meagre settlement payments

Here's why an abandoned-looking plane is being spotted in a Toronto parking lot

Eugene Levy's favourite Toronto places according to the New York Times